How does the Renewable Heat Incentive support domestic installations?

The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) supports domestic and non-domestic installations in different ways. A domestic system is one heating a single private residential dwelling, so does not district heating. A house converted to be a shop or bed & breakfast would be considered non-domestic. For information about RHI support for non-domestic installations, please click here.

Eligibility

The domestic RHI is available to new installations of eligible heating systems. If the EPC for the house says that it is suitable for cavity wall and loft insulation, then these need to be installed before the RHI can be claimed. See the Ofgem website for more about eligibility and applying.

RHI Payments, in pence per kWh (kilowatt-hour)

from April 2018

Solar Water Heating

20.66

Biomass Boiler

6.74

Air Source Heat Pump

10.49

Ground or Water Source Heat Pump

20.46

Each tariff will be paid quarterly for a seven year period. The expected kWh contribution will be calculated at the time of installation.

For the space heating systems, it will be calculated using the heat demand figure estimated for an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). For heat pumps, the proportion met by the electricity running the heat pump will be subtracted, and the tariff paid only for the renewable part. For Biomass boilers, fuel must be bought from an accredited supplier (to ensure the wood is being harvested sustainably), or grown onsite.

The Ofgem website has lots more information on the scheme and how to apply.